Happy Canada Day!

I am experiencing my first Canada Day along with my husband and our grandson, Eli, in our country’s only desert – Osoyoos, BC. We have a clear, blue sky and the sun is already blazing at 6:58 am. Psalm 95:5 says: “His hands formed the dry land.” This is a very dry land, but stunningly beautiful!

It is Cherry Fiesta Day here in Osoyoos, as well as Canada Day. There will be a parade, children’s activities on the beach, free music at the band shell, and of course fireworks. We also have a drive to Keremeos planned, and will continue our hunt for organic produce on the drive home, specifically in Cawston, which calls itself the “Organic Farming Capital of Canada.”

Perhaps we Canadians could dedicate this day to making our nation the “Organic Farming Capital of the World.” We are so blessed with an abundance of natural resources, surrounded by oceans on three sides, with mountains, prairies, lakes, and yes, even a desert. We need to cherish what is ours, clean up what we have misused, and strive to protect our legacy for generations to come.

I love the stand Pope Francis has taken:

"The violence present in our hearts is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life… our immense technological development has not been accompanied by a development in human responsibility, values and conscience."

We have been given the responsibility of caring for this beautiful creation. Let’s rise to that challenge. That includes electing representatives who wish to restore and protect our environment, but it also includes taking personal responsibilityfor the well-being of our world. In North America, choosing certified organic food is the only guarantee we have (unless we live in Vermont) that we are not consuming Genetically Modified Organisms, or pesticides that are harmful to our health as well as to our soil, water, and air. Every time we request organic food, even when it doesn’t appear to be available, our voice is heard. Supply will follow demand. Every time we choose organic food, we are playing a small part in protecting our environment at the same time that we are improving our health. Wow – 2 for 1! I do love a bargain.

We found what we were looking for in Cawston today at Harker’s Organics on Highway 3. We came home with fresh, local, organic cucumbers, cherries, blueberries, peaches, beans, zucchini, kale, spinach, cabbage, snow peas, and joy of joys – cherry tomatoes grown outside!

I still have yet to find a reliable source of local organic meat, and of course the government will not allow me to purchase the organic raw cream that I miss since our move, but that won’t stop me from continuing to ask for them. Supply will follow demand. In the mean time, I can choose to improve my health and the environment, one mouthful at a time.